Mike Hesson pleased with New Zealand's winning streak

New Zealand looking for their 11th consecutive win across all formats in Hamilton.

Mike Hesson –Head coach of the New Zealand Team, on Monday, admitted that the Black Caps were very smart on home conditions with their versatility, consistency, and discipline, which probably haven't allowed them to play any ordinary cricket for some time. However, he added saying that they are now an improving side and playing some smart cricket.

Currently, Kane Williamson-led New Zealand are ranked the fourth-best test side in the world, the fifth in ODIs and are top of the heap in T20Is. With their latest ODI victory over Pakistan in the five-match series, the Black Caps took a 3-0 lead in the series, and looking for their 11th consecutive win across all formats with their fourth ODI, starting from tomorrow (16 January) in Hamilton.

It is known, New Zealand have a brilliant record at home across various formats of the game against any opposition, but Hesson said they are still trying to get better and challenge teams away from home as well.

Speaking to media ahead of the fourth One Day International of the five-match ODI series against Pakistan, the Kiwi coach said that he is pleased with his Team’s recent display in all departments.

According to a report in Stuff Sport, Hesson said, “We were very smart on surfaces that perhaps haven’t allowed us to play how we’ve wanted to play. We often want to play with a bit of flair and be aggressive with everything we do with the bat and sometimes conditions don’t allow that. We’re improving and I think we’re playing some smart cricket, particularly on a variety of surfaces, so that’s very pleasing.”

Commenting on the Dunedin ODI, where Trent Boult and Tim Southee broke the backbone of the Pakistani top-order and left them at 9/3 inside 10 overs, Coach said, “Last game was pretty close to perfect on a tricky surface. I think the first 10 overs, that’s the best I’ve ever seen. In terms of when you have to bowl into the wind, Tim’s five overs into a howling gale, he never missed the strings, kept hitting the top of the bat, he was exceptional and obviously, Trent was relentless from the other end.”

He concluded by saying, “We're very clear how we operate pre-game - I think one of the keys is we're very consistent about how we operate, whether we've come off a win or a string of losses. We don't get too overawed, if we lose a few games, and if we're on a roll, we don't drop our guard.”